Scores on doors a fresh approach

ON THE MENU: Coffs Coast residents are encouraged to score local eateries in a move

THE usual question is “what’s on the menu” but Coffs Coast diners will soon be asking “what’s on the door”.

Local cafes, restaurants, pubs and other food outlets throughout the Coffs Harbour area are the latest businesses to be included in the NSW Scores on Doors hygiene and food safety rating program.

Residents and visitors can see how well local food businesses are complying with food hygiene and safety requirements through the three stars, four stars and five stars rating certificates now on display.

“Scores on Doors offers businesses a fantastic opportunity to show customers just how seriously Coffs’ businesses take food hygiene and the results they’ve achieved by displaying a rating certificate on their door,” Mayor Denise Knight said.

“It’s about celebrating success. We look at it as fame, not shame.”

The certificates reflect the results of hygiene and food safety inspections. Previously only inspectors and businesses knew the results, now diners will know too.

“Scores on Doors gives customers an idea of what’s going on in the kitchen and out the back at your favourite restaurant, café or takeaway,” council spokesman Robert Percival said.

“All the relevant businesses have been inspected and rated over the past year and businesses that have qualified for a rating, will have received their certificates. If you see a restaurant displaying the purple and green poster, you know immediately that it’s met minimum hygiene and food safety standards during the last food inspection. If there is no certificate on display, you might want to wonder why.”